Image of 'Muslims praying in front of 10 Downing Street' is AI-generated

Context

Ahead of the U.K. general election on July 4, the latest polling signals that the Labour Party, led by Sir Keir Starmer, is heading for electoral victory, ending a 14-year era of Conservative rule.

On the doorstep of the election, a photo of rows of Muslims praying in front of the U.K. Prime Minister’s Office circulated online. The image was shared with captions like, “Muslims pay tribute to Sir @Keir_Starmer outside number 10.” The X post has garnered over 24,000 views a few hours after being published. 

However, Logically Facts found that the image is a fake. 

In fact

The image is AI-generated and does not depict a real event of Muslims praying in front of 10 Downing Street. The photo provides clues that indicate the image is not real.

We noticed multiple discrepancies in the hands and unnatural body shapes of the people in front of the Prime Minister’s office. Some hands are irregular shapes, others are missing entirely and some have too many fingers. Some feet appear in the position of hands. These distortions are common in AI-generated images and are a reliable indicator of an image’s lack of authenticity.

The image highlights some of the discrepancies we noticed regarding the peoples' hands and body shapes 
that indicate the image is AI-generated. (Source: X/Modified by Logically Facts)

Moreover, peculiarities and inconsistencies in the building colors and structure indicate the image is not genuine. We noticed, for instance, that the fence, some windows, numbers in the neighboring buildings, and the light fixtures are skewed in the AI image.

We also compared the image with authentic images of 10 Downing Street and noticed discrepancies in wall patterns, the structure of the Number 10 entryway and fence, and the shape and colors of the neighboring buildings.

The true building wall has a smoother structure than depicted in the AI image. A real photo of the Prime Minister’s Office also shows an ironwork arch in front of the door, which is not present in the AI image.

Left: The AI image. Right: The genuine door of 10 Downing Street.
(Source: X/Wikicommons/Modified by Logically Facts)

Also, the fake image erroneously shows a brick-colored building beside Number 10, when in real images, the brick building is further away.

Left: The AI-generated image. Right: A real photograph showing the genuine surroundings of 10 Downing Street. 
(Source: X/Wikicommons/Annotated by Logically Facts)

The false image lacks credit to the photographer or information about when it was taken, further indicating it is not genuine. A reverse image search yielded no reports on the use of the image to show real-life events. 

Logically Facts' guide to detect AI-generated images provides more tips to determine if a photo is real or fake.

Misinformation on immigration and the Muslim community has swept across social media during the election campaign period. Follow Logically Facts' coverage and fact-checking of the U.K. general election here.

The verdict

No, the image does not show Muslims praying in front of the U.K.’s Prime Minister’s office, as evidenced by multiple discrepancies in it. No credible source has recognized the photo as genuine, nor has any photographer been credited. Therefore, we have marked the image as fake.